Electric switch



W. B. TEMPLETGN. ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICANON FILED Dic. I2, 191e,

' @ne end ofthe releasiiig ride up over the latching members when moved to switch opening position in order 'to elhninatetlie' extremovement of the locking device to releasingI position before the switch could be opened, but suoli locking devices do not hold the contacts posi tively looked in switch closing `position :ind are liable, therefore,4 to be accidentally opened under some conditions of heavy short circuit existing on the feeders. l have provided a switch which possesses the advantage. of being positi g locked in closed position and at the same time can be released and opened 'with one continuous movement in the seine direction To release the locking" de y'ice 5 by the opening movement of the switch,` l provide means operative b v the switch opening movement for automatically moving the lotehingj memof the locking' device 5 to releasing bers o position.

This releesing means for the locking device 5 comprises an operatief" member i2 pivotally supported to the contact blade l. This member is provided with en extension 13 compris ring opening into which the usual wooden operating rod be inserted to operate the switch. This member7 l2, therefore. serves not only as a releasing member for the looking device 5 but also a means by which the switch is operated. v nieinigier 1Q carries. pivotslly secured thereto@ zi. shoe or wedging member 'le which coperates with the latching members 6 to loi'ce the bitching niembers apart and into releasing position. The otherend of member lf) provided with a portion l5 adapted to, engage the Contact blade l and riinsmit the thrust to the contact blade during;- tlio movement o1C the switch to Closed position. l have shown the member l2 pivotally the tivo portions of a Contact shoe 16 which is secured lo the Contact blade to make e. firm Contact between the blade and the Clips Il, but it is understood that this member may Carried by the bladeiii other suitable ways.

ln the Closed position of the switch, the locking device 5 is in locking' position liolding; the contact blade l locked and the releasiiiglj member l2 is in the position shown in Fig. l. Vlien it is d 'iired to open the switch. the Wooden operating rod is hooked into the ringT opening' portion 13 of the operating mon'iber 1'2 and the movement of the operating' ineiiiber about its pivot in switi-h opening' direction. drives the Wedge nioiiiber or releasing means lei in between the bitching" members of the locking device 5 to move them into releasing' position ivlioieiijion on further "ioveiiieiit ofthe releasing member lie .snit -h blade 1 drawn oiii" i'oiii between the latcliiij; meinb=rs 5 :ind into switch peiiing position. Thus by Lesmo* supported between one continuons movement the locking device 5 is moved to unlocking position and the sivitcli opened.

Should it be desired to provide a means besides the Wedgini member lelto hold the latohing members in releasing' position while the switch is still closed, e means such as setting pavvls or dogs l? may be provided onV the locking?,l device pivoted on each latching member b' and arranged to catch on tie `blade l and thereby hold back the latching .members 6 as long as the blade is in the clips 3. The dogs lj?" are biased to move iipiverd against shoulders f8 on the members G into a position in which their inner ends eng-age the blade l when the. switch is closed and thereby hold the members 6 in the releesinv oi V.inoperative position with the shoulders 'i out of alinement with the blade l. These dogs 17 project toward each other and their inner ends engage the opposite sides oi the blade l when. both members G are held back .in the releasing pbsition shown in Fig. The springs in sockets l0 also engage the psivls 17 to force them upward against their shoulders so that in this position the members 6 aijidv pawls l? ifo-rm practically zisingle enit pivoted at 8. As soon as the switch opens and the blade l passes ont from between the inner ends of thev bends, the springs 'throw the members 6 in against the sides of the blade l. Further opening of the switch is rnot hindered except by the friction of the latches against the sides or" the bled@- anil as soon` as tbe blade passes out from between them the members 6 spring into position i'esdy to engage and hold the blade when the switch 'is again closed. Thus instead of having the Wedgiiig portion of n'ieinberl hold the late-hing members in releasing` position. the Wedgiiig port-ion may be mede to move the latching members into releasii'igw position in, which position they are held by the dogs l? until the switch blade l is removed.

Aithoubh l have shown a locking device comprising tivo latching members held in open position'by dogs 17, it is apparent that the dogs may be omitted it' desired Without aii'ecting the essential features and operation of the switch of my invention.

My invention may be embodied in other 'forms than that shown and described and l, therefore, do not `Wish to be restricted to the particular structure shown but Wish to cover by the appended oleimsall changes and modifications Within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Alllhai'; l claim is new and desire 'to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. ln an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch member, letching .members between which said Switch member is movable to closed. position, said members beingr biased to lock seid switch member in :leemos closed position, a pivoted member operatively related to said switch member by means of which said switch member is moved having a portion'tor moving said latching members to releasing position, said latcliing members being released and seid switch member moved to open position in response to a continuous movement of said pivotedmenibe'r in one direction.

2. An electric switch, comprising a movable Contact member, latching members on A i f l each side ot said contact member biased to able Contact member, cooperating Fixed contacts, latcning members on each side of said movable Contact member for locking said member in closed position, an operating' member operatively related to said contact 'member and movable in the plane oil said .contact member by means of which said contact member is' movable, and a releasinf means for said locking device pivotally supported-by said ol'ieratinp,I member, whereby a continuoiis movement ci said operating member in one direction releases said loclring. device and moves said contact member to open position.

'4a-In an electric switch trie combination with a movable switch member, or an independently mounted lockingl device comprising latohing members biased to locking position, holding means operative by the movement of said latching members into releasposition for holding said members in releasing position as longas said switch member is'in switch'closing position, and

l means whereby said latcling means is moved into releasing 'position and said switch member to open position in e. continuous movement in one-direction.

5. ln an electric svitcb, the combination with a movable switch member, latching members on opposite sides of said switch member biased to locking position and adapted to lock said switch member in switch closing position, a movable member pivotally carried by saidswitch member by means of which said switch member is operated, andhmeans carried by said movable member for moving said locking device `into rcieasing position in response to the switch opening movement o said movable member.

6. in en electric switchthe combination with a movable switch member, of a locking device. comprising,- l telling members yieldingly mounted to allow the movement of said switch member therebetween and adapted to locl said switch member in switch closing` position, an operating; member for said switch member, a releasing means carried by said operating member Jrior moving latching members into releasing position in response to the movement oi? said operating member in jswitch opening direct-ion.

if. A locking,- and unlocking,` device for electric switches, comprising two opposed cooperating members for normally retaining the switch in locked position, and means pivotally carried by the :tree end et the switchand engageable intermediate ot theA coperating members whereby the switch may be closed or opened by a single movement of the operatingrod when engaged with the last mentioned means.

8. ln an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch member, latching members between which said member is movable and adapted to loclr said member in closed position, and a member ope 'atively related to said switch member for moving` said latching members to releasing position, Lhe release of said latching; members and the moi/ementoil said switch member to position taking place in one continuous movement.

ln an electric switch, the combination with a movable switch member, latchingw `mernbers between which said member is for locking said member in closed position comprising` latching members between which said member is movable, moans ior unlocking,` said locking device carried by said switch member, said loclrin;A device being unlocked and said switch member moved to open position in one continuous movement.

l1. A locking and unlocking device 'for electric switches comprising two cooperating members for holding` the switch locked in closed position, and means whereby in a iso' single movement said cooperating members are moved to releasing position and said switch 'to open position.

ln witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand-this first day 'of August, 1916.

' llllalilelil TEll/IPLETON. 

